More than 20 tons of cheese stolen: Celebrity chef calls for help!

London - Fraudsters have managed to steal a total of 22 tons of cheese in the UK. Now celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (49) is getting involved.

Over 950 bikes were stolen from Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork Cheddar.
Over 950 bikes were stolen from Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork Cheddar.  © Instagram: nealsyarddairy

Neal's Yard Dairy, a cheese store from London, reported the brazen theft in an Instagram post last week.

The fraudsters had posed as wholesalers and ordered huge quantities of cheese from the store in question.

More than 950 wheels of cheddar from three different cheese dairies were delivered, only then was the fraud discovered: the cheese thieves had disappeared with their loot - but without paying.

In total, the fraud cost the company the equivalent of around 360,000 euros.

Famous TV chef Jamie Oliver speaks out

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (49) is calling on people to support the company as much as possible.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (49) is calling on people to support the company as much as possible.  © Dominic Lipinski/PA File/dpa

The case caused such a stir that even England's famous TV chef Jamie Oliver (49) got involved. He asked for help on Instagram and warned people to "beware of suspiciously large quantities of premium cheddar on the black market".

According to the 49-year-old, cheddar is the most consumed type of cheese in the world. The theft at Neal's Yard is said to have had an impact on cheese exports to a total of 20 countries.

Meanwhile, the London cheese store expressed its gratitude for the support it has received so far. It said it was touched by the "overwhelming number of calls, messages and visits".

"Continue to support British and Irish cheese. Hafod, Pitchfork and Westcombe are special examples of Farmhouse Cheddar. Eat them. We will be here for a long time to come, championing British and Irish cheese," assured Neal's Yard Dairy.